Safety device for bathtubs



Oct. 23, 1951 K. L. HANSEN SAFETY DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS Filed Oct. 19, 1949 ATTOR/VgXS,

Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS Knut L. Hansen, Antioch, Calif.

Application October 19, 1949, Serial No. 122,269

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a safety device for bathtubs.

An object of this invention is the provision of an efficient device to prevent a person from slipping or falling while getting in and out of a bathtub.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a safety device of an adjustable hand grip, whereby the device can quickly be adjusted to accommodate a tall or a short person.

A still further object of the invention is to provide two lines, one of which has a hand grip permanently fastened to its lower end, while the other line has an adjustable hand grip that can be moved up or down on its line to accommodate different sized persons using the device in connection with a bathtub.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a safety device of a clamp device that performs the dual function of keeping the two lines of the device in a. convenient, assembled position and making it possible to adjust on one line a hand grip, whereby different height persons can be accommodated while using the same safety device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a safety device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the safety device, showing the clamp device in vertical, longitudinal section.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated, I designates a line support, which is provided at its upper end 2 with a broad portion so that the line device I can be easily placed in the hook 3, which hook is shown in a ceiling 4. The lower end of the line support I is reduced in width, as at 5. To this reduced portion 5 are fastened primary line 6 and auxiliary line I.

On the lower end of the primary line 6 is permanently secured a primary hand grip 8. This hand grip 8 is shown as a ring.

A clamp device 9 is provided with a vertical aperture I0, through which primary line 6 freely moves. The clamp device 9 is also provided with an elongated opening I I, through which the auxiliary line I extends. In the elongated opening II is a locking cam I2 that is pivotally mounted at I3 upon the clamp body I4. An auxiliary hand grip I5 has its stem I6 extending through the body I4 as shown, Fig. 2. A head I! is formed on the stem I6, whereby the auxiliary hand grip I6 is permanently secured to the clamp device 9.

To adjust the hand grip carrying clamp device, all that the operator needs to do is to grasp in one hand the clamp device 9 and pull downward on the lower end of the auxiliary line I, or press upwardly on the outer end of the locking cam I2, whereupon the clamp device can be adjusted to any position. As the auxiliary hand grip I5 is carried by the clamp device 9, any adjustment of the clamp device upon the auxiliary line I will likewise adjust said auxiliary hand grip I5. In this way, the hand grip I5 can be adjusted to suit the height of the person using the bathtub It.

The clamp device 9 keeps the two lines in close assembled position, whereby the two hand grips 8 and I5 are ready for the bather to grasp.

By the term line is meant any equivalent cord or rope, or the like, that will answer for the elements of this device. 7

It will be apparent that when the clamp device 9 has been adjusted to suit the operator, all the person has to do is to pull slightly downward upon the auxiliary hand grip I5, whereupon the locking cam I2 will immediately grip the auxiliary line I, securely holding the clamp device 9 in the desired adjusted position.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of the invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

In a device of the kind described, a line support, a flexible line having its upper end fixedly attached to said support, a hand grip attached to the lower end of said line for holding the line tense, a clamp body having an opening therethrough for said line, said clamp body being freely slidable on said line, an auxiliary line having its upper end fixedly attached to said support, said body having an opening through which said auxiliary line passes, a hand grip fixed beneath said body for moving the body along said lines, the opening in the body being laterally elongated to form a slot, a gravity actuated cam grip pivotally mounted in said slot and normally gripping said auxiliary line, and a finger piece carried by said grip and projecting from the slot for manipulation to resist said 5 rip from the auxiliary line.

KNUT L. HANSEN.

REFERENCES CITED Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Schatz Mar. 11, 1873 Cotton et a1. Aug. 20, 1895 Sands July 19, 1898 Cockerell July 14, 1903 Wentworth July 23, 1907 Winslow Feb. 10, 1942 file of this patent: 

